Jolien Heetkamp Rediscovering the Power of the Body
Rachel Katzman
A Journey of Strength with Pvolve
Founder I Stephanie K Fitness & Nutrition
Leah Chudzik
Strength, Discipline, and the Power of Starting Again
Amanda Jean
Creating Balance in a High Performance Life
Dipti Pore
Building Strength Beyond Limits
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STEPHANIE KERKECHIAN
STRENGTH ACROSS EVERY CHAPTER
20
LEAH CHUDZIK
Strength, Discipline, and the Power of Starting Again
32 DIPTI PORE
Building Strength
Beyond Limits
26
AMANDA JEAN
Creating Balance in a High Performance Life
38
JOLIEN HEETKAMP
Rediscovering the Power of the Body
44 A Journey of Strength with Pvolve
RACHEL KATZMAN
Founder I Stephanie K Fitness & Nutrition
Ste phan i e Ke rkech ian
Some careers are planned. Others unfold through experience, shaped by unexpected turns and evolving priorities. Stephanie Kerkechian’s journey is a blend of both. From dance studios to law enforcement and eventually into tness coaching, each phase of her life has added a new layer to her understanding of strength, discipline, and purpose.
Today, as the Founder of Stephanie K Fitness & Nutrition, she brings together decades of lived experience into a coaching philosophy that is simple, inclusive, and deeply practical. Her story is not about reinvention. It is about building strength through every stage of life.
The Foundation: Movement from the Beginning
Stephanie’s connection with tness started early.
“I have danced since I was 3 years old,” she shares.
Dance introduced her to discipline long before she understood the word. It taught her structure, repetition, and the value of showing up consistently. It was also her rst form of self-expression, a way to connect movement with emotion and purpose.
But even in those early years, Stephanie knew she wanted stability in her future. She recognized that while dance was her passion, it might not provide the nancial security she needed.
Alongside her love for movement was a strong sense of justice, a desire to serve in a different capacity.
That realization led her toward an entirely different path.
A Shift into Discipline: Law Enforcement
Joining the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department marked a major turning point. Stephanie entered law enforcement with the goal of eventually working with the FBI, driven by a sense of purpose and service.
The training was intense.
“It pushed me physically and mentally,” she says.
This phase of her life introduced her to a different kind of strength. It was not just about endurance or performance, but about readiness, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. She joined the sheriff’s running team, expanding her tness routine and pushing her limits even further.
Law enforcement also reinforced her internal discipline. It shaped her approach to daily workouts and kept her motivated to maintain a high level of physical tness.
More importantly, it connected tness to function. Strength was no longer just personal. It was tied to responsibility, to being prepared for whatever the job demanded.
However, this chapter was cut short due to an on-duty injury, forcing her into medical retirement after four years.
Redening Life Through Family
After leaving law enforcement, Stephanie entered a new phase of life centered on family
It was during this time that she met her husband at church, a place that would go on to shape not just their relationship, but the foundation of their lives. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, raising four children and navigating both the challenges and joys that came with it. Their belief in Jesus became a constant through every season, offering strength, clarity, and direction.
“Through everything, the hard times and the good, we have always relied on Jesus as the center of our lives,” she reects. “Because of that, I am who I am, by God’s grace.”
Alongside this deeply rooted faith, Stephanie’s commitment to health and wellness remained constant. But tness no longer looked the same as it once did.
“With a family of six, it had to look different than when I was single,” she explains.
Like many parents, Stephanie had to adapt. Time was limited, responsibilities were high, and priorities shifted. Instead of structured personal training routines, she integrated movement into her lifestyle.
After the birth of her children, she joined a local gym, became certied, and began teaching group tness classes. What started as a practical solution to stay active and maintain a gym membership soon became something more meaningful.
“It was a way for me to keep in shape, get a free membership, and still stay home with my family,” she says.
Fitness became part of her daily rhythm, not separate from it.
From Personal Habits to Professional Purpose
Stephanie’s role as a mother played a key role in shaping her approach to health and nutrition.
Strength is not just physical. It is the ability to show up under pressure. “ “
Homeschooling her four children meant she was constantly managing meals, schedules, and daily routines. Cooking for a family of six naturally led her to develop a deeper understanding of nutrition.
“I prepared all the meals for the family, and that began my nutrition journey,” she shares.
At the same time, exercise remained essential for her mental clarity. It became her space for stability, something that helped her stay balanced amid the demands of parenting and teaching.
She also began leading physical training sessions within her children’s homeschool group, combining her passion for movement with her role as an educator.
As her children grew older, Stephanie saw an opportunity to expand this passion into a full-time career. She pursued her NASM certication in personal training and began working toward her nutrition coaching certication.
This marked the beginning of Stephanie K Fitness & Nutrition.
Standing Out in a Crowded Space
Entering the tness industry came with a clear challenge.
“What would separate me from the thousands of others?” she recalls thinking. Her answer was not a specic program or trend, but her experience.
Stephanie’s background is diverse. Dance taught her movement and control. Law enforcement built discipline and resilience. Years of teaching group tness and raising a family gave her a practical understanding of real-life challenges.
This combination allows her to connect with clients in a way that goes beyond standard coaching.
She also developed expertise in training autistic adults, a niche that remains underserved. This reects her belief that tness should be inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of their starting point.
A Philosophy Built on Simplicity
At the heart of Stephanie K Fitness & Nutrition is a clear philosophy.
“I coach all ages and stages,” she says. “We all need movement and exercise, no matter who you are.”
Her approach is not built on extremes or rigid systems. Instead, it focuses on consistency, adaptability, and meeting people where they are.
She emphasizes habits over intensity. For those struggling with consistency, her advice is straightforward.
“Half the battle is getting to the gym,” she explains. “Book it like a doctor’s appointment you can’t miss.”
By treating workouts as nonnegotiable, clients remove the mental resistance that often leads to inconsistency. She also encourages habit stacking, building small routines that gradually become part of daily life.
This approach is realistic, sustainable, and effective.
Looking Ahead: Strength with Purpose
As Stephanie continues to grow her brand, her vision extends beyond individual coaching sessions.
She aims to build a stronger online presence and create programs that can reach a wider audience. Her goal is to develop systems that can be replicated and used by many, making tness and nutrition more accessible.
At the center of this vision is a message she strongly believes in:
“Strong is the new skinny.”
It is a statement that reects a broader shift in tness culture. Moving away from aesthetics and toward strength, health, and capability.
A Life Built on Strength
Stephanie Kerkechian’s journey is not dened by a single role or identity. It is shaped by every phase she has lived through.
From dance to law enforcement, from motherhood to entrepreneurship, each chapter has contributed to her understanding of strength.
Her story is a reminder that tness is not about perfection or a xed path. It is about adapting, evolving, and continuing to move forward.
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FEATURE ME
w w w . e x e l e o n w o m e n . c o m
Leah Chudzik
Strength, Discipline, and the Power of
Starting Again
For Leah Chudzik, tness was never part of the plan. It was something she turned to at a point when life demanded change. What began as a personal effort to regain control soon became a structured pursuit of discipline, strength, and purpose.
Today, as a WNBF Bikini athlete, personal trainer, and posing coach, Leah represents more than just physical transformation. Her journey reects the reality behind tness. The setbacks, the habits, the mental shifts, and the consistency that quietly builds over time.
From navigating personal struggles to stepping onto the stage, her story is grounded, honest, and deeply relatable. It is not about quick results. It is about commitment, awareness, and the willingness to start, even when it feels difcult.
What rst sparked your interest in tness and bodybuilding, and how did it lead you to compete as a WNBF Bikini Athlete?
My interest in tness honestly came as a surprise, both to me and to people around me. At one point, I was heading down a path of alcoholism and obesity. I didn’t like who I had become, and I knew something needed to change.
I started researching ways to improve my mental health and overall happiness. The idea of the gym and
a healthier lifestyle kept coming up, which led me to Beachbody programs. They helped initially, but I wasn’t seeing the results I wanted.
I then moved to running, thinking it would help with weight loss, but it wasn’t enough. That’s when I found the gym. It started with just two days a week. I would fall off track, then get back on again. Over time, it became something I genuinely enjoyed.
I also began focusing on how I ate, not just eating less, but eating better. I built friendships in the tness space, and a few people suggested I try competing in bodybuilding. For about a year, I kept putting it off, making excuses. But during that time, I followed bikini athletes and their journeys, and eventually, I decided it was time to do something for myself.
I found my coach, committed to a show, and got to work. In my second season, my coach Leroy Rollins introduced the WNBF to Ontario for the rst time. My partner and I signed up for the inaugural event, and that’s how I stepped into the WNBF stage.
Looking back on your transformation, what was the most challenging aspect of your journey, physically or mentally, and how did you overcome it?
For me, the biggest challenge has always been nutrition. I have texture sensitivities, and many clean foods can be difcult for me to eat. Chicken is a good
example. I enjoy it, but if the texture is off or I get a piece I can’t tolerate, I physically cannot continue the meal.
Over time, I worked through this by experimenting with different foods and preparation methods. It took patience, but I've been able to build a meal plan that works for me and supports my goals.
As a personal trainer and posing coach, how have you seen women’s approach to tness evolve over time, and what advice do you consistently give them?
I think there is denitely more awareness now when it comes to women’s tness and overall health. There’s more information available, and people are starting to understand the importance of training and recovery.
The advice I give most often comes down to two things. First, make strength training a regular habit. There’s still a fear of getting bulky, but that’s not how it works, and the benets go far beyond aesthetics.
Second, prioritize nutrition and rest. Without those, it’s difcult to sustain any tness lifestyle long term.
Your journey reects both intense physical training and rened stage presentation. How do you balance building strength with the aesthetic demands of bikini competitions?
It comes down to years of consistency, hard work, and practice. Over time, you learn how to target specic muscle groups to build the shape judges are looking for, especially the hourglass physique, while avoiding overdevelopment in other areas.
Once that foundation is built, posing becomes just as important. It’s about shaping the physique on stage in a way that highlights your strengths and brings everything together visually
Many people struggle with consistency, especially during contest prep or long-term transformations. What habits or mindset shifts have helped you and your clients stay on track?
A few simple habits can make a big difference. I like using notes or reminders around the house to reinforce why you started. It helps keep your focus clear
Setting small weekly goals is another approach that works well. It keeps things manageable and gives you something to work toward consistently.
When it comes to nutrition, nding small ways to stay satised helps, like having certain avors or low-calorie options to keep things interesting.
Mentally, there is a shift that happens during prep. You go from having exibility with food to working within strict limits. During that time, it’s important to stay focused. It’s not permanent. It’s a short phase, and keeping your attention on the end goal helps you push through.
For someone starting their tness journey or aiming to step on stage eventually, what does a sustainable longterm approach look like beyond competition prep?
The rst thing I always suggest is to look at your habits. Identify what might hold you back and what is already working in your favor.
From there, focus on small changes. Build one habit at a time. Once it becomes consistent, move on to the next. It’s important to understand that this is not a race.
Sustainable progress takes time, and the goal is to build something that lasts beyond any single competition or short-term result.
Amanda Jean Creating
Balance in a High Performance Life
Amanda Jean has spent most of her life in motion. Long before HYROX races, tness studios, and packed training schedules became part of her everyday world, movement began as a form of expression. Growing up as a dancer, she learned early that the body could communicate condence, discipline, and emotion in ways words often could not. What started in dance studios eventually evolved into a career that now spans coaching, leadership, functional tness, breathwork, and community building.
Today, Amanda is known not only as a tness leader and lululemon Ambassador, but also as someone deeply committed to helping others discover strength that extends beyond aesthetics or performance metrics. Whether she is managing multiple tness studios, preparing for HYROX competition, coaching clients, or speaking about mental resilience, her philosophy remains rooted in sustainability, self awareness, and intentional growth.
Her journey has never been about chasing perfection. It has been about learning how to create balance while continuing to evolve.
From Dance Studios to Fitness Leadership
Amanda’s relationship with movement began in childhood through dance. While studying Dance at Ryerson University in Toronto, she started incorporating tness training into her routine, not realizing at the time how much that decision would shape the course of her future.
“I grew up as a dancer and always had a more athletic shape,” she explains. “I started working out in University while I was studying Dance at Ryerson University in Toronto.”
After becoming a mother, her perspective on tness shifted even further. Mom and baby classes introduced her to a new side of the industry, one centered around connection, empowerment, and accessibility. That experience inspired her to become a certied tness instructor and begin teaching classes herself.
What followed was the beginning of a career that steadily expanded across multiple areas of the wellness space. Amanda combined her background in dance with tness instruction, eventually working with major organizations including GoodLife Fitness and cantpro.
Then came a pivotal turning point in 2006 when she discovered Zumba Fitness.
Amanda quickly became one of the leading names associated with the brand in Canada, eventually becoming the country’s rst Zumba Education Specialist. The role allowed her to travel coast to coast licensing and training instructors, helping shape the growth of the movement-based tness program nationwide.
It was more than teaching choreography. It was about helping people rediscover condence through movement.
Learning to Prioritize Herself
Despite spending years helping others prioritize health and wellness, Amanda admits one of her biggest struggles was making time for her own training.
As someone balancing leadership responsibilities across three F45 Training studios, community events, coaching, and ambassador work, her schedule often revolved around supporting everyone else rst.
“My biggest challenge on my tness journey has been setting time aside for my own training,” she says. “I am passionate about supporting the members and leaders I work with, but scheduling time for myself has been a struggle to overcome.”
That realization forced her to confront an uncomfortable truth many high performers face. Being busy is not the same as being aligned.
Over time, Amanda developed a system rooted in structure and discipline rather than motivation alone. Every week begins with planning, intentional scheduling, and creating non negotiable time for her own physical and mental health.
“My calendar is my best friend,” she explains. “Every Sunday I spend time ensuring I know where my
training will t into my schedule along with coaching classes, managing three studios, and taking time for myself and my family.”
For Amanda, tness is no longer something squeezed into leftover time. It is a foundational part of how she functions at her best.
“We all have the same amount of time in the day,” she says. “It’s up to you to decide how you use it.”
Discovering Strength Beyond Physical Training
Although Amanda has spent years immersed in tness, one of the biggest transformations in her life came through something far quieter than intense workouts or race preparation – .Breathwork
Her introduction to Conscious Connected Breathing through Release Breathwork became a turning point that transformed her physically, mentally, and emotionally
“Discovering Breathwork and understanding the impact of Conscious Connected Breathing has been a game changer for me,” Amanda shares. “It has transformed my mental, emotional and physical health.”
The impact became especially clear during her HYROX competitions in Toronto in 2025, where she competed on back to back days. While physical preparation played a major role, Amanda credits much of her endurance and mental composure to the deeper internal work she had been doing behind the scenes.
“When I competed in two HYROX races in 2025 in Toronto, the only way I was able to race on back-to-back days was from the work I did during breathwork, along with my training both physically and mentally.”
That experience reinforced a philosophy she now lives by daily. External performance is deeply connected to internal wellness.
“The work you do behind the scenes will dictate how you show up in public,” she says. “If you are not doing the work on yourself, you will not succeed.”
For Amanda, success is no longer measured solely by physical output. It also includes sleep quality, stress management, mindfulness, recovery, hydration, and emotional awareness.
Training With Intention
Amanda’s current tness routine reects both structure and adaptability
She trains four to ve days per week, combining strength based F45 sessions with dedicated HYROX specic conditioning.
Running, something she once focused heavily on during marathon training, has returned as an important part of her athletic development.
Interestingly, Amanda admits she never truly considered herself an athlete until entering the HYROX world.
“I’ve never considered myself an athlete until I started training for HYROX,” she says honestly.
“Learning proper running technique has been a focus for me as I continue to learn more about the sport.”
Alongside physical training, breathwork sessions remain integrated into her monthly routine, while recovery practices and scheduling help her maintain consistency without burnout.
She believes sustainability matters more than intensity alone.
“A goal without a plan is only a dream,” Amanda says.
That mindset has become central not only to her own growth but also to how she coaches others.
Helping People Break Through Feeling “Stuck”
One of the topics Amanda speaks about most openly is the emotional frustration people experience when they feel like they are working hard without seeing progress.
In her own words: “You've done the work. So why do you still feel stuck?”
For Amanda, the answer often lies deeper than tness programs or nutrition plans. Many people are physically active while remaining mentally disconnected from what they actually need.
Her advice starts with community.
“Find a community that not only supports you physically, but mentally and emotionally as well,” she explains.
She also encourages people to slow down long enough to honestly evaluate what is and is not serving them.
“Take the time to understand what YOU need,” she says. “Make a list of what's working for you currently and what needs to either be removed or changed.”
Amanda believes awareness is often the beginning of transformation. Once people begin identifying the habits, environments, or thoughts keeping them stuck, change becomes far more possible.
“There is power in writing out what is keeping you stuck,” she explains. “The more you can uncover the layers holding you back, the less stuck you will feel.”
Her philosophy toward growth is deeply realistic. She does not promise perfection, nor does she promote relentless positivity. Instead, she encourages consistency, perspective, and resilience.
“Remember there will always be good days and bad,” Amanda says. “Every day may not be perfect, but there is something perfect in every day.”
Dipti Pore
For Dipti Pore, tness did not begin as a long-term goal or a carefully planned path. It started as a way to cope with the demands of a high-pressure IT career What began as a simple outlet for stress gradually evolved into something far more meaningful.
Over time, training became a source of strength, not just physically, but mentally. The discipline she built through consistent effort pushed her beyond the boundaries of routine tness and into competitive sport. Today, balancing her roles as an IT professional, coach, and athlete, Dipti represents a mindset that goes beyond aesthetics. Her journey is about performance, resilience, and continuously challenging her own limits.
What sparked your tness journey?
My tness journey started as a way to manage stress from my IT job, but it quickly became something much bigger. I realized how powerful training made me feel, not just physically but mentally
Over time, that passion turned into discipline, and discipline turned into a desire to constantly challenge myself. That is what pushed me from being a regular tness enthusiast to competing as a hybrid athlete and powerlifter.
Building Strength Beyond Limits
Which achievement means the most to you?
Both achievements are special in different ways. Winning in powerlifting proved my strength and consistency, while nishing Hyrox challenged my endurance and mental toughness.
If I had to choose, Hyrox stands out because it pushed me out of my comfort zone. It taught me that I am capable of much more than I think, especially when things get uncomfortable.
What does your typical training week look like?
My training is built around variation and balance. I do three strength training sessions focused on powerlifting movements such as deadlifts, squats, and presses.
Alongside that, I include running and metabolic conditioning through Zumba, outdoor runs, and functional circuits. I also practice yoga for mobility and recovery
Balancing strength and endurance is all about smart programming and listening to my body so I can perform well without burning out.
What has been the biggest challenge in your journey?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing time and energy while managing multiple roles, working in IT, coaching, and training at a high level.
As a woman in tness, there is also a constant need to prove strength and capability. I pushed through by staying consistent, focusing on my goals, and not letting outside opinions dene my limits.
What is the most common mistake beginners make?
The most common mistake is trying to do everything at once without understanding the basics. People often jump into intense workouts without building proper form or consistency rst.
My advice would be to start simple, stay consistent, and focus on mastering the fundamentals. Results come from discipline, not shortcuts.
What are your goals for the next 2 to 3 years?
My goal is to grow both as an athlete and as a coach. As an athlete, I want to compete at higher levels in hybrid events and continue progressing in strength.
As a coach, I want to help more people build sustainable tness lifestyles and create a strong community around training. I also want to inspire more women to lift, run, and feel condent in their strength.
Jolien Heetkamp Rediscovering the Power of the Body
Some relationships with movement begin as discipline. Others begin as curiosity.
For Jolien Heetkamp, it began as wonder.
As a child, she was captivated by the circus. It was not just entertainment, for her it was possibility Alongside her sisters, she would recreate what she saw, building makeshift performances in her backyard, imitating the acrobats who seemed to move beyond the perceived limits of the human body.
“I dreamt of being a circus artist,” she recalls. That dream took shape when she joined a sports acrobatics club in her small town, where she trained between the ages of 12 and 16. Those early years were lled with movement, play, and discovery. The body felt like something to explore, not something to question.
But at 16, everything changed.
When Movement Was Taken Away
Jolien was diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition that would affect her for the next 16 years. What began as a disruption slowly turned into a dening chapter of her life.
For the rst decade, she lived without clarity Pain became constant, but its cause remained uncertain. The absence of answers made the experience even more difcult.
“The biggest challenge was denitely 16 years of illness,” she says.
The physical limitations were immediate.
Activities that once came naturally became inaccessible. At times, her body could not keep up with what her mind wanted to do. The disconnect was frustrating, isolating, and often invisible to others.
“There’s something difcult about being limited by your body when your mind wants more,” she reects.
There were also deeper challenges. Living with long-term pain changes how you see yourself. Over time, that pain can become part of your identity. Letting go of it, even in the process of healing, requires confronting who you are without it.
Yet through those years, Jolien held on to something that would ultimately guide her forward: mental strength, trust, and an ability to nd beauty in small moments.
Discovering a New Path Through Yoga
Even during the hardest periods of her illness, Jolien’s fascination with movement never disappeared. It simply adapted.
She pursued a Master’s degree in Human Movement Sciences, driven by a desire to understand the body on a deeper level. During her studies, she discovered yoga.
At rst, yoga offered something simple but essential: accessibility. It was a form of movement she could still practice, even while navigating the physical limitations of her condition.
Later, during one of the most severe phases of her illness, when she was conned to a wheelchair, yoga took on a new role.
“I decided to do a Yoga Teacher Training to learn more about the healing benets,” she explains.
Yoga was no longer just a practice; it became a tool for rebuilding connection with her body. It offered not only physical movement, but presence, awareness, and a sense of control in a time when much felt uncertain.
Finding Joy Again Through AcroYoga
While yoga provided grounding, Jolien eventually rediscovered something she had been missing –play.
That moment came when she discovered AcroYoga, a practice that combines yoga and acrobatics.
“I found my passion immediately,” she says.
AcroYoga brought together everything she had experienced before. The discipline of yoga, the creativity of acrobatics, and the joy of shared movement. It also introduced her to a community of people who approached movement with curiosity and openness.
More than anything, it reconnected her with the joy she had experienced as a child.
It was not just about rebuilding strength. It was about rediscovering what movement could feel like.
That passion gradually evolved into her current path, where she now teaches, coaches, and leads retreats, sharing the practices that helped her regain both her health and her sense of self.
A New Perspective on Strength
Jolien’s journey has shaped how she understands strength.
For her, strength is not just physical. It is emotional, mental, and deeply personal. It is built through resilience, patience, and the willingness to keep going even when progress is slow or uncertain.
Her years of illness have also given her a unique ability to empathize with others.
“This experience has shaped the way I guide people,” she explains.
She approaches teaching with patience and authenticity, understanding that every individual’s path is different. Her guidance is not theoretical. It is lived.
That authenticity is something her students feel. It is reected in the way she teaches, the way she communicates, and the way she creates space for others to explore their own journey
Redening Fitness and Wellness
As Jolien’s practice evolved, so did her perspective on tness.
For a long time, she viewed traditional gym training as separate from her more spiritual practices. “I used to say, I don’t lift weights, I lift people.”
But that perspective changed.
Two years ago, she began strength training, initially to address lower back pain. What started as a practical solution became an important part of her routine.
Today, she recognizes the value
of muscle mass, particularly for women. It supports hormones, metabolism, and overall physical capability
At the same time, her yoga practice has become less focused on physical posture and more centered on subtler aspects such as meditation, mantra, and philosophy
She now sees strength and spirituality as complementary rather than separate.
“The combination of gym training and yoga is very powerful,” she explains.
Together, they create a more complete approach to health, one that supports both the body and the mind.
The Role of Play and Community
A dening element of Jolien’s philosophy is joy.
Movement, in her view, should not feel like obligation. It should feel like something you want to return to.
“Whatever you pick as your movement practice, make it one that you enjoy doing,” she says.
This emphasis on enjoyment is not just about making tness more appealing. It is about creating consistency. When people enjoy what they do, they are more likely to continue doing it.
AcroYoga plays a key role in this approach. It introduces an element of playfulness that is often missing in adult life.
“It brings out your inner child,” she explains.
Beyond physical benets, it also creates a space for connection. Participants learn to communicate, build trust, and navigate challenges together.
In a world that often feels structured and serious, this sense of play can be transformative.
Building Consistency Through Identity
For many people, consistency is the hardest part of any tness journey.
Jolien addresses this through mindset.
One of the most powerful shifts she describes is the idea of identity.
“I used to see myself as someone who struggled with movement,” she reects.
Over time, she consciously changed that narrative. She began to see herself as someone who moves, who trains, and who embraces physical expression.
That shift changed her behavior.
When your actions align with your identity, consistency becomes natural. When they don’t, resistance appears.
She also emphasizes the importance of understanding your “why.”
When the motivation behind your actions is clear and meaningful, it becomes easier to stay committed.
For Jolien, that motivation is rooted in living a healthy, active life that allows her to do the things she loves, from hiking to acrobatics.
Creating a Sustainable Practice
Jolien’s approach to tness is not about intensity or perfection. It is about sustainability.
She recognizes that not everyone has the time or exibility to dedicate hours each day to movement practices. Instead, she encourages people to start small.
A short mobility routine. A few minutes of meditation. Practices that t into daily life rather than disrupt it.
“Find what works for you,” she says.
This individualized approach avoids the pressure of rigid systems and allows people to build habits that are realistic and maintainable.
She also emphasizes the value of support. Coaching, mentoring, and community can help individuals overcome challenges and stay aligned with their goals.
While workshops and retreats can inspire change, she believes that long-term transformation comes from consistent effort over time.
A Journey That Continues
Jolien Heetkamp’s story is not one of returning to where she once was. It is about moving forward with a new understanding of strength, resilience, and possibility.
Her journey from childhood curiosity to chronic illness and back into movement has shaped not only her life, but the way she guides others.
Today, her work is rooted in authenticity. She teaches what she has lived. She shares what she has experienced.
And through that, she offers something valuable to those she works with.
Not just techniques or practices, but perspective.
A reminder that strength is not something xed.
It is something that can be rebuilt.
Redened.
And rediscovered, no matter where you begin.
A Journey of Strength with Pvolve
It’s 2016. I’m living in New York City and, like so many others, bouncing around the thriving boutique tness studio scene. Despite all the time I put into my workouts, I still found myself unsatised with my results - and worse, I was in pain. A diagnosis of scoliosis soon followed, and I knew that my lifestyle would have to change.
That is when I was introduced to functional tness, which emphasizes moving in a way that supports your body for everyday life - before I knew it, my body felt strong, mobile, and energized. Feeling inspired, I began assembling a team to put the pieces together for Pvolve, a low-impact workout methodology that abandons the notion that tness must be punishing to be effective.
We started with a small studio in Chinatown, NYC, where we offered classes and a camera on a tripod to lm the workouts for uploading. We developed a suite of patented resistance-based products to pair with the functional movements. Leading with science was important to me. We brought on a team of Doctors, Clinicians, Physical Therapists, and PHDs to help validate the method and help push the upper limits on what this profound way of moving could do for our members.
Since then, we have built a digital platform with over 1,300 on-demand workouts that feature
everything from classic Strength & Sculpt and Progressive Weight Training classes to workouts designed for women’s unique and evolving physiologies. This includes pelvic oor training, workouts for the phases of the menstrual cycle, and a menopause series intended to mitigate the oftendebilitating symptoms that accompany the transition into menopause.
In seven years, we have opened eight studios across the US and Canada and have over twenty-ve in development through our franchise partners. We have undergone three clinical trials that underscore the efcacy of the method. And most importantly, we have an incredible community of thousands of members worldwide who have transformed their bodies and their relationships with tness through Pvolve.
In 2023, I had my biggest “pinch-me” moment of all, when our most famous member, Jennifer Aniston, came aboard the company in an ofcial capacity. She now helps advise on content and programming and stars in our ad campaigns.
What started as a personal quest to nd a workout that would give me results without pain, has grown into a solution for many women with various goals and sensitivities. And while it’s hard to believe it’s been seven years; it’s thrilling to know how bright the future is ahead.
About the Author
Rachel Katzman is the Founder of Pvolve, an omnichannel tness company with a science-led method that pairs low-impact, functional movement, and patented resistance equipment to sculpt, strengthen, and restore the body. Rachel launched the company in 2017 and remains a leading force within the female-led company. Known for her customer-centric leadership style, Rachel drives the brand’s creative vision forward, elevating the overall member experience and growing the global digital platform. Before Pvolve, Rachel founded Cuvee Beauty, a champagnebased haircare line, in 2016 and sold it in 2019. Rachel has been recognized in top publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire, and Women’s Health. She was also honored on Inc. Magazine’s list of “2023’s Most Dynamic Entrepreneurs” and the “2023 Entreprenista 100.”
